Tamper-proof quality management barcode indicators

Abstract

A tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of time and temperature thresholds following actuation thereof, including a first barcode including a first colorable area and being machine-readable before exceedance of the time and temperature thresholds, a second barcode including a second colorable area and not being machine-readable before exceedance of the time and temperature thresholds, a coloring agent located at a first location on the indicator, a coloring agent pathway operative to allow the coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at least partially a function of time, from the first location to the first and second colorable areas simultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of the time and temperature thresholds, thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to become machine-readable, and a tamper-proof actuator element operative to actuate the indicator.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A barcoded quality indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold following actuation thereof, said indicator comprising:
 at least one barcode including at least one colorable area, said barcoded quality indicator having at least one first machine-readable state prior to exceedance of said at least one threshold and at least one second machine-readable state following exceedance of said at least one threshold; 
 a coloring agent located at a first location on said indicator; 
 a coloring agent pathway operative, following actuation of said quality indicator, to allow said coloring agent to move from said first location to said at least one colorable area for coloring thereof upon exceedance of said threshold, thereby causing said barcoded quality indicator to change from said at least one first machine-readable state to said at least one second machine-readable state; 
 an actuator element operative to actuate said quality indicator upon removal thereof from said quality indicator; and 
 a sealing element operative to seal said coloring agent pathway subsequent to removal of said actuator element, said sealing element comprising a sealing tab operable for foldable sealing of said coloring agent pathway. 
 
     
     
       2. A barcoded quality indicator according to  claim 1  and wherein said actuator element is disposed between said coloring agent and said coloring agent pathway prior to actuation of said quality indicator, thereby preventing passage of said coloring agent to said coloring agent pathway. 
     
     
       3. A barcoded quality indicator according to  claim 1  and wherein said actuator element comprises a pullable actuator tab which protrudes from said quality indicator prior to actuation of said barcoded quality indicator. 
     
     
       4. A barcoded quality indicator according to  claim 1  and wherein said actuation of said quality indicator comprises irreversibly removing said actuator element from said quality indicator, thereby irreversibly enabling passage of said coloring agent to said coloring agent pathway. 
     
     
       5. A barcoded quality indicator according to  claim 1  and wherein said quality indicator also comprises a release layer which is adhered to an adhesive back surface of said quality indicator. 
     
     
       6. A barcoded quality indicator according to  claim 5  and wherein removal of said release layer is operative to expose said adhesive back surface which is operable for adhering said quality indicator to a product for which quality is to be monitored. 
     
     
       7. A barcoded quality indicator according to  claim 5  and wherein said release layer comprises a release tab operable for enabling release of said release layer from said adhesive back surface. 
     
     
       8. A barcoded quality indicator according to  claim 5  and wherein said sealing tab is operable for selectable adherence to said adhesive back surface, thereby sealing said coloring agent pathway.